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Author | South Asia Stories
Editor | Yang Qian
Reviewer | Jiang Yi
Image source: Gulf News
A railway line connecting Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan will reduce freight costs and shorten transit times.
In a significant step towards regional integration, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have finally finalized the roadmap to implement the highly anticipated "Trans-Afghan Railway" project as soon as possible.
This transformative infrastructure plan is expected to completely change the trade and connectivity landscape of South Asia and Central Asia.
According to Pakistan's Business Recorder, on June 1, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a significant telephone call with Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to promote the construction of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway line, also known as the Trans-Afghan Railway, aimed at reshaping the geopolitical landscape of Central and South Asia.
According to a statement from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both foreign ministers agreed that the framework agreement for the UAP railway project needs to be finalized as soon as possible, reflecting their shared commitment to implementing this infrastructure vision.
Before this conversation, Dar also called Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Sayidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich to coordinate the final details of the upcoming signing ceremony of the project.
This telephone conversation also highlighted synchronized diplomatic thaw. Foreign Minister Muttaqi welcomed Pakistan's recent elevation of its diplomatic mission in Kabul from chargé d'affaires to ambassador level, and the next day, it elevated its embassy in Islamabad to the ambassador level.
The two countries had previously maintained embassies led by chargés d'affaires, reflecting a tense relationship due to distrust and conflicts over decades.
Muttaqi said, "This is a very positive development," and praised the elevation of diplomatic ranks as a milestone in the development of "brotherly" relations.
The two foreign ministers also reviewed the progress of a series of agreements reached during Dar's visit to Kabul in April, reiterating their commitment to building trust and cooperation in this region long troubled by geopolitical turbulence.
As Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan advance this large-scale railway project and diplomatic reconciliation, these measures may signal a new chapter of connectivity and stability in a region that has long faced division and uncertainty.
The 760 km railway corridor will start from Termez in Uzbekistan, pass through Mazar-e-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan, and enter Pakistan through the Halachhi border crossing in Kalam region.
It is predicted that this route will reduce the freight transport time between Uzbekistan and Pakistan by up to five days and reduce freight costs by at least 40%.
By 2030, this railway is expected to handle 15 million tons of cargo annually, becoming a new economic artery for the region long constrained by logistics and political barriers.
In addition, this railway line will make passenger travel between the relevant countries more economical and convenient.
On June 2, Gulf News published an opinion article by senior assistant editor Ashfaq Ahmed, elaborating on the significance and important impact of building the Trans-Afghan Railway.
Earlier this year, after talks between Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Tashkent, the three countries of Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to establish a tripartite coordination committee.
This institution will be responsible for overseeing the technical research, financing mechanisms and implementation methods of the Trans-Afghan Railway, ensuring that this $4.8 billion project is completed as planned by the end of 2027.
A senior Pakistani official involved in the negotiations said, "This railway is not just about logistics, but also about unlocking the economic potential of 240 million Pakistanis, providing an unprecedented warm water port access to Central Asia, and reshaping the entire region's trade flows."
The report states that the main part of the line includes a new 573-km railway crossing Afghanistan. Experts from the railway departments of the three countries have reached a consensus on the route and terrain, and joint survey visits and feasibility studies have been launched.
In addition to economic significance, the project symbolizes deepened diplomatic relations. In recent breakthrough developments, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to restore full ambassador-level diplomatic relations, marking a relaxation of previously tense bilateral relations.
Previously, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and both emphasized the urgency of finalizing the railway framework agreement.
Muttaqi called this railway "not just steel and sleepers, but a bridge of trust," and called the plan an "important milestone" in regional diplomacy.
This railway project also aligns with the overall vision of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing has been quietly promoting the improvement of relations between Islamabad and Kabul, highlighting its role as a regional stabilizer.
Analysts point out that this strengthened cooperation has marginalized India's influence in Afghanistan (which has significantly declined since 2021).
With the western border of Pakistan relatively restored to calm, the country is seizing the opportunity to shift its strategic focus to the eastern challenges, including dealing with the tensions with India.
In this context, the railway not only becomes a trade corridor but also a strategic lever in Islamabad's overall geopolitical considerations.
For Afghanistan, this railway line represents a rare economic opportunity, which could increase its international participation and much-needed income through toll fees and advancing regional integration.
As the project moves into the implementation phase, the parties concerned hope that the Trans-Afghan Railway can become a model, demonstrating how infrastructure, diplomacy and common economic interests can overcome decades of conflict and mistrust. The economic importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway is concentrated in:
First, reducing costs and transportation time. This railway is expected to reduce the freight transport time between Uzbekistan and Pakistan by five days and reduce freight costs by at least 40%, making trade faster and more economical.
Second, trade volume will continue to grow. By 2030, this project is expected to transport up to 15 million tons of goods annually, significantly increasing trade capacity and regional export capabilities.
Third, enhancing global market access. By connecting the landlocked Central Asian region with Pakistan's ports in the Arabian Sea, the line provides direct access to international shipping routes, enhancing export competitiveness.
Fourth, enhancing regional connectivity. Its completion will strengthen the strategic link between Central Asia and South Asia. It is the first direct railway corridor connecting Central Asia and South Asia, establishing a land bridge between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Fifth, integrating into the Belt and Road Initiative. The project aligns with the goals of China's Belt and Road Initiative and may attract more investment and infrastructure development in the region.
Sixth, having strong political and diplomatic impacts. The project incorporates the complex countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan into a coordinated infrastructure plan, showcasing rare regional consistency.
The railway initiative has promoted the restoration of full diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Kabul, helping to stabilize cross-border situations.
As China promotes cooperation and India's influence in Afghanistan declines, the project highlights the regional power shift that is favorable for economic diplomacy.
Seventh, contributing to regional peace and stability. By providing employment, infrastructure and transit revenue, the Trans-Afghan Railway can support Afghanistan's economic stability, reducing the causes of conflict.
The joint implementation and supervision of the project require continuous cooperation, which may reduce mistrust and promote long-term peace in historically turbulent regions.
Additionally, Pakistan's strategic advantages will further emerge.
The railway corridor strengthens Pakistan's vision of becoming a transit and trade hub connecting Central Asia, China and the Middle East.
As cooperation in the western border areas strengthens, Pakistan can reallocate its strategic focus to the pressing issues in the east, especially handling the tension with India properly.
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